Need Thigh Exercises

[Mickey527]

Does anyone know any good thigh reducing exercises?
I walk about 4 miles a day and if the weather is bad I use the WATP video. I also try and use my Body by Jake "bun and thigh reducer" but that too has been working the thighs too much and making them more muscular.
I am wearing size 14's now but the waist is loose and I have to wear a belt with them. They look terrible with all the fabric bunched up under the belt. I have to wear the 14's because they fit better in the thighs. 12's fit great at the waist but a little tight in the thigh. I have been wearing tight clothes for so long I like the feeling of looser clothes now, but want clothes that fit better.
It seems that the more I walk the more muscle I am getting on my thighs. How can I reduce them without having them sucked out, which is way out of my budget? Peggie

 

[catherine]

Hi Peggie, I don't know whether you have tried these or not. If you haven't perhaps they will help. Good luck.

Do one set of 12 repetitions of the inner thigh exercise, then immediately do 12 repetitions of the outer thigh exercise. Repeat for a total of four sets of each exercise. It should take you eight minutes for both.

Inner-Thigh Leg Raise
Lie on a mat on your left side with your left elbow and forearm supporting your upper body and your left leg extended. Bend your right knee and place your right foot behind your left leg for balance. Keeping your left leg straight, exhale as you slowly lift your left foot as high as you can. Hold for 1 second. Inhale as you lower your foot to the starting position. Do one set with your left leg, and then switch sides.

Doggie (Outer Thigh)
Kneel on a mat on all fours with your knees hip-width apart, your hands placed slightly wider than your shoulders, and your fingers pointing forward. Keep your back straight and your head up. Keeping your leg bent at a 90-degree angle, exhale as you raise your right leg out to the side (like a dog at a fire hydrant). Hold for 1 second. Inhale as you slowly lower your leg back to the starting point. Do one set with your right leg, and then switch sides.

 

[ohMom]

try pilates! not that the other exercises mentioned are great ones - but as an exercised for several years and still packing on the pounds - after finding WW and WISH and recommitting myself to a real change I also found pilates and yoga! I think that pilates has really changes the shape of my lower body that years of aerobics couldn't do!

Check your library for pilates videos to try! Denise Austin and Kathy Smith have great lower body pilates workouts, very explainatory.

Squats are another great quad exercise, and great for the bum as well

 

[ahutton]

I do good old fashion plies - and also add a twist. I put my feet shoulder width apart with my toes pointing forward. I have a hand either on a counter or chair back for balance help. While keeping your back straight and tall bend your knees and allow your heals to come up off the floor. Press yourself back up slowly and only until your heals are back on the floor (about 1/2 way) then flex back down all the way again, then press up to fully standing. 10-12 reps.

Then rotate (from your hips) out so your toes are pointing at about 10 and 2 and do it all over again - 10-12 reps. It will work muscles you may not know you have.

After each set I stretch well. With your feet in the same position you used for the exercise, allow your upper body to hang over so you are "folded in half" with your legs straight but softly flexed knees. Then bend your left knee and twist your upper body and reach out and up with your right arm. Then straighten your left knee, bend your right knee and twist your upper body and reach out and up with your left arm. It should give a good stretch along the back and sides of your thighs.